| (a) General requirements. This course is recommended
for students in Grade 12. The practicum course is a paid or unpaid
capstone experience for students participating in a coherent sequence
of career and technical education courses in the Science, Technology,
Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Career Cluster. Prerequisites:
Algebra I and Geometry. Recommended prerequisites: two credits from
the courses in the STEM Career Cluster. Corequisite: Practicum in
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. This course must
be taken concurrently with Practicum in Science, Technology, Engineering,
and Mathematics and may not be taken as a stand-alone course. Students
shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course.
A student may repeat this course once for credit provided that the
student is experiencing different aspects of the industry and demonstrating
proficiency in additional and more advanced knowledge and skills.
(b) Introduction.
(1) Career and technical education instruction provides
content aligned with challenging academic standards and relevant technical
knowledge and skills for students to further their education and succeed
in current or emerging professions.
(2) The STEM Career Cluster focuses on planning, managing,
and providing scientific research and professional and technical services,
including laboratory and testing services, and research and development
services.
(3) Extended Practicum in STEM is designed to give
students supervised practical application of previously studied knowledge
and skills. Practicum experiences can occur in a variety of locations
appropriate to the nature and level of experience.
(4) Students are encouraged to participate in extended
learning experiences such as career and technical student organizations
and other leadership or extracurricular organizations.
(5) Statements that contain the word "including" reference
content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such
as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.
(c) Knowledge and skills.
(1) The student demonstrates professional standards/employability
skills as required by business and industry. The student is expected
to:
(A) participate in a paid or unpaid, laboratory- or
work-based application of previously studied knowledge and skills
related to STEM;
(B) participate in training, education, or preparation
for licensure, certification, or other relevant credentials to prepare
for employment;
(C) demonstrate professional standards and personal
qualities needed to be employable such as self-discipline, positive
attitude, integrity, leadership, appreciation for diversity, customer
service, work ethic, and adaptability with increased fluency;
(D) employ teamwork and conflict-management skills
with increased fluency to achieve collective goals; and
(E) employ planning and time-management skills and
tools such as prioritizing tasks, following schedules, and performing
goal-relevant activities with increased fluency to enhance results
and complete work tasks.
(2) The student applies professional communications
strategies. The student is expected to:
(A) demonstrate verbal and non-verbal communication
consistently in a clear, concise, and effective manner;
(B) apply active listening skills to obtain and clarify
information;
(C) create and deliver formal and informal presentations
effectively;
(D) analyze, interpret, and effectively communicate
information, data, and observations; and
(E) observe and interpret verbal and nonverbal cues
and behaviors to enhance communication.
(3) The student implements advanced problem-solving
methods. The student is expected to:
(A) employ critical-thinking skills with increased
fluency both independently and in groups to solve problems and make
decisions;
(B) analyze elements of problems to develop creative
and innovative solutions;
(C) apply decision-making techniques with increased
fluency to the selection of technological solutions; and
(D) conduct technical research to gather information
necessary for decision making.
(4) The student understands and applies proper safety
and security techniques in the workplace. The student is expected
to understand and consistently follow workplace safety rules and regulations.
(5) The student understands the professional, ethical,
and legal responsibilities in STEM-related fields. The student is
expected to:
(A) demonstrate a positive, productive work ethic by
performing assigned tasks as directed;
(B) apply ethical reasoning to a variety of situations
in order to make ethical decisions; and
(C) comply with all applicable rules, laws, and regulations
in a consistent manner.
(6) The student participates in a supervised STEM experience.
The student is expected to:
(A) conduct, document, and evaluate learning activities
in a supervised STEM experience;
(B) develop advanced technical knowledge and skills
related to the student's occupational objective;
(C) evaluate strengths and weaknesses in technical
skill proficiency; and
(D) collect representative work samples.
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